The Williams Bell. Vol. 57 January/February 2019 No. 1/2

Transcription

1 The Williams Bell Williams Memorial Presbyterian Church 4700 Beatties Ford Road Charlotte, NC Vol. 57 January/February 2019 No. 1/2 It was an amazing Advent season! Every week except one when it snowed participants lighted candles representing the timeless values of peace, joy, hope, and love. The chancel was festooned with crimson poinsettias. The tree was adorned with Christmons. The fragrance of wreathes made of balsam fir wafted throughout the sanctuary Our services concluded with Lessons and Carols on December 23 rd, in which our choir and congregation proclaimed the incarnation of Jesus Christ in song. We are indebted to our music director, Billie McConnell and choir members, including the Fisher family, Alex Leatherwood, Amy Auten and Nancy Lewis. The music drew us ever closer to the Infant s manger. On January 6 th, the church enters the season of Epiphany, in which we celebrate Christ s manifestation to the world. Epiphany immediately follows the 12 th day of Christmas and is traditionally marked with their visit to Jesus in the home of his earthly parents, Mary and Joseph. Aptly, the symbol of this season is of the star which led the magi to Jesus and which sheds its light over Him (Matthew 2:1 12). The season them quickly moves to Jesus baptism in the River Jordan. Jesus is an adult and he requests that John the Baptist baptize Him. John immediately recognizes Him as the Son of God and confesses that he is unworthy to be give this honor. Nevertheless, John obeys and as soon as water is poured over Jesus head, the sky cracks open, Holy Spirit like a dove descends over him, and the voice of God the Father thunders that He was His Son (Matthew 3:13 17; Mark 1:9 11; Luke 3:21 23). This was earth-shattering stuff. As if that wasn t impressive enough, after Jesus called his disciples together onto the top of a mountain. Jesus prays and suddenly the glory of the Lord shone from Him (Matthew 17:1 9). He was the source of the pure light. He was flanked by Elijah the prophet and Moses the lawgiver, who are below Him and worship Him. We see that it will be through Jesus Christ alone that we are saved from our sins. So, the season of Epiphany is every bit as important as Advent. In Advent, worshippers prepare and anticipate Christ s coming whereas in Epiphany Christ actually appears and brings in His Eternal Kingdom. I see Epiphany as the beginning of our journey of faith. It means intentionally following Christ, sitting at His feet and listening. As a result, our faith will become mature, richer and deeper.

2 This January and February, let us we take time to listen to each other hearing people who have never before had a voice in their faith-walk, people who discover they have a found a safe place to explore God and their God-given potential. Everyone can teach us something about the wonder and joy they have known, but not everyone has been asked to share. I don t know how the make-up of our congregation at Williams Memorial may change in the years ahead, but I pray it will always faithfully follow Jesus. I do know that it may seem messy at times, but it will be real, it will be affirming, and it will be a glimpse of the coming Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. After all, Jesus is lighting our way. John-Nelson Pope Fun and Fellowship Plans: January meeting---we will meet Tuesday, January 8th at 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hall- Meal provided. January Birthdays Jan 2 Jan 10 Jan 22 Glenn McLeroy Florence Alexander Nathaniel Jones February Birthdays Feb 12 Feb 13 Feb 19 Feb 22 Wendy Leatherwood Steven Guissari Edith Morgan John Auten, Kevin Auten, Fran Wynn 2

3 Food Drive - January 6 through Super Bowl Sunday (February 3rd) We will be collecting donations to be sent to Second Harvest Food Bank. Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina supplies food and essential grocery items to over 700 agencies feeding hungry people in 19 local counties. A food donation to the Food Bank helps people who live in our region. Williams Bell Deadlines Our goal is to make the Bell available on the last Sunday of the month. In order to make that deadline please provide March/April Bell submissions by February 17. Memorials Received: In Memory of Doris Goodwin: Susan B Brunson Thomas J & Janette D Coyle Goodwin Legacy Trust Ruth Brock & Mary Nash SS Class Lawson Caldwell In Memory of Minnie Hamilton: Barbara Reid: Nancy Coppage Kathryn Robeson Peggy P Hamilton Thank Yous: Dear Williams Memorial Church Family, I cannot thank you enough for the generous love offering with which you gifted me and my family. Joy and I are both humbled and moved by your love and support! That love became real to me this past year as we celebrated the lives of the members--our Presbyterian saints--who entered the Church Triumphant You ministered to their families through fellowship, visits, and prayer. You were present for them. What I admire most about you is that you hold a vital and abiding love for Christ. May God bless you, keep you well, and imbue you with His Presence! John-Nelson Thank you for your generous Christmas gift, your support of music at Williams Memorial, and your enthusiastic singing in worship. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. Billie McConnell Thanks to Williams Memorial Presbyterian Church members for the generous Love Offering. Ted Auten It was our great pleasure to be cared for and surrounded by those of you that helped with mom s funeral reception. Being a hectic day, I m sure I didn t get a chance to spend time with many of you but we were so lucky to see you at the equally great homecoming feast. Both events showed the talents and love possessed by those in this church. The food was great and we had all the favorites. How appropriate, for moms considered all of you her loved ones, part of our friends and family. Many Thanks! On behalf of my family and I Sincerely Eddie Goodwin 3

4 Offering Envelopes For 2019 we will not be printing dated personalized offering envelopes. You are welcome to use pew envelopes, unused envelopes from past years or come by the office to pick up generic offering envelopes. If you write a check, using an envelope is optional as your offering can be recorded correctly from the information on the check. If you give cash, an envelope with your name is necessary to record to your end of year giving statement. If you have questions, contact Wendy Leatherwood. Join us for Pancake Breakfast during the Sunday School Hour March 3 rd Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, and Why We Eat Pancakes March 5, 2019 is Shrove Tuesday, which we Presbyterians observe as the day before the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday. One might think that Shrove is just another word for pancakes. Not quite Shrove derives from the word shrive, which is a term to hear the confession of ones sins and assure the person of God s forgiveness. On Shrove Tuesday, many Presbyterians in the United Kingdom make a special point to selfexamine on what sins they should repent or focus on during their time of Lenten reflection. We can trace the origins of Shrove Tuesday back to the Middle Ages. In predominately Catholic countries on the European continent and a few Protestant ones, many food items like meats, fats, eggs, milk, and fish were regarded as restricted during Lent. After all, these foods would spoil during forty days of fasting In France and francophone regions, the consumption of all fats and fatty foods on this day came to be known as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. In New Orleans, along the Gulf Coast, and in Quebec Mardi Gras lasts a full week or more before Ash Wednesday. We Presbyterians, for the most part, trace our origins from England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and have on occasion observed Shrove Tuesday, including eating pancakes. In the event of an emergency or a phone tree request please contact Pastor John, Cell or john-nelson.pope@montreat.edu Prayer Request for: Members and Friends Florence Alexander, Roy Baker, Hunter Davis, Andy Hassell, Dot Hoover, Janet Hubbard, Virgil Hubbard, Diane Keever, Don Parker, Nancy Skipper, James Watson, and Rev. Phillip Williams. Members in the extended community Mary Penninger (The Laurels), Lydia Pope. Those in military service US Army Sam Caldwell, Justin Jackson US Army National Guard Cody Baker US Army Reserve Benjamin Glover US Coast Guard Matthew Baker Addresses of loved ones in the military: SPC Samuel Caldwell; 433 N.E. 21 st Terracce; Homestead, FL in Jackson CMR-415 Box 7854 APO-AE

5 Volunteers & Helpers for 2019 USHERS January: Mark Auten, Fred Hunter February: Merlin Fidler, Bobbie Reid March: Marc Leatherwood, Laura Stroupe April: Wendy Leatherwood, Alex Leatherwood May: Kevin Auten, John Auten June: Ty Leatherwood, Ted Auten July: Nancy Lewis, Amy Auten August: Lisa Fisher, Edith Morgan September: Nathaniel Jones, Sarah Kiser October: Earl & Mary Leatherwood November: Marilyn Earnhardt, Alex Leatherwood December: Ty Leatherwood, Jon Leatherwood COLLECTION TABULATORS January: Kevin Auten, Lisa Fisher February: Don Fisher, Marc Leatherwood March: Nancy Lewis, Bobbie Reid April: Amy Auten, Edith Morgan May: Mark Auten, Jon Leatherwood June: Kevin Auten, Lisa Fisher July: Marc Leatherwood, Edith Morgan August: Don Fisher, Mark Auten September: Nancy Lewis, Kevin Auten October: Edith Morgan, Amy Auten November: Bobbie Reid, Lisa Fisher December: Don Fisher, Mark Auten February: Bobbie Reid April: Wendy Leatherwood June: Nancy Lewis August: Lisa Fisher October: Ted Auten COMMUNION SERVERS January: Mark Auten December: Jon Leatherwood March: Laura Stroupe May: Kevin Auten July: Amy Auten September: Sarah Kiser November: Fred Hunter 5

6 The Williams Bell Williams Memorial Presbyterian Church 4700 Beatties Ford Road Charlotte, NC January/February 2019 Phone Sunday Schedule 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship Service Church Staff John-Nelson Pope Pastor Billie McConnell Music Director Ted Auten Custodian ~~~~~ Amy Auten Editor Secretary Wendy Leatherwood Financial Secretary 6